The Evangelical Pulpit - The Group Blog of Patheos Evangelical

Farewell, Eugene

October 24, 2018 By Guest Contributor

By Philip Yancey—This week I lost a friend, and the world lost one of God’s favorites: Eugene Peterson. Rather than repeat the many well-deserved eulogies in his honor, I thought back to snapshots of some of the times that our paths crossed. Read more

Donald Trump Is No Saint

October 22, 2018 By Guest Contributor

Looking to political leaders like Donald Trump as the salvation of the Church seriously confuses a secular office with a religious person and the kingdoms of the world with the kingdom of God. I am not looking for a saint to be our president; nor, am I expecting the president to be our savior. Thus, I have a pastoral concern for those who dismiss Trump’s sin and behavior—that in minimizing sin, they diminish what Christ has done for us, as well as our witness to a hostile world. We are to put our trust in Christ as our king and not in any politician, nation or government. Read more

The Theodicy of the Lord Jesus Christ

August 23, 2018 By Guest Contributor

What’s the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear the word “theodicy”? Nothing, right? Well, the term means a defense of God’s justice in the face of evil’s reality. It comes from two words: “God” and “justice.” Inadequate Theodicies There are some poor theodicies out there. Christian Science, for example, denies the reality of evil. Mary Baker Eddy said, “Since God is All, there is no room for His opposite . . . therefore evil, being the… Read more

The Power of Encouragement

August 23, 2018 By Guest Contributor

When facing a life-changing health challenge you will most likely be searching for answers. Read more

More Lessons Learned from Willow Creek

August 9, 2018 By Guest Contributor

Just as leaders and organizations learned from Bill and Willow during their meteoric rise, let’s continue to learn from them during this difficult season. Read more

How Singing the Psalms Provides a Fixed Point for Theological Expression and Growth

August 2, 2018 By Guest Contributor

It has been widely reported that the state of modern Christendom in Western society is one where millions of people are being reached “a mile wide”—that is, with quality family-based programs, culturally engaging messages and entertaining music—but often only “an inch deep.” Theologically, the average church attender today is purported to have more knowledge about the drink choices at the church espresso bar than the foundational tenants of the gospel he or she claims to fully believe and follow. There… Read more

Bug or Design Feature?

June 29, 2018 By Guest Contributor

In the introduction to her recent book Political Tribes, Amy Chua wrote, Humans are tribal. We need to belong to groups. We crave bonds and attachments, which is why we love clubs, teams, fraternities, family… But the tribal instinct is not just an instinct to belong. It is also an instinct to exclude. Lately, as people wrestle with what it means to be, and to not be, an evangelical, it seems we’re approaching evangelicalism as if it is a ‘tribe.’… Read more

Quit Hoping People Will Come To Your Church

June 12, 2018 By Guest Contributor

Many Christians today act as if Jesus gave a great suggestion instead of a great commission. Read more

Learning, the Good Life, and Skin in the Game

May 18, 2018 By Bart Gingerich

I’ve had the privilege of participating in a book study group at Schole House, a center for Christian thought at VCU. As we’ve started this summer, one of the books we’ve decided to read through is C. S. Lewis’s classic volume, The Abolition of Man. In the first chapter (or essay) in the book, “Men Without Chests,” Lewis shares his concerns about what was starting to be taught in upper schools in England, particularly in his time. These invasive curricula… Read more

Christians Must Take a Hard Stand Against Sexual Objectification

May 16, 2018 By Guest Contributor

A recent controversy at the Southern Baptist Convention reminds us that living out Christian principles sometimes means repudiating our own. Read more